Not on the Menu: Korean American Students’ Reflections on Campus Food and Belonging

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 9:45 am - Gold 1
  In Roundtable Session: Networks, trust, and belonging for underrepresented students

Abstract

In this study, I explore how Korean American undergraduate students experience food and belonging at a public West Coast university with an AANAPISI designation. Drawing on interviews and group gimbap making sessions, I examine the emotional, cultural, and social significance of food in students’ daily lives. Guided by the CECE and Suda frameworks, I show how students navigated campus dining with creativity and care, often turning to Korean food as a source of comfort and connection. While institutional offerings varied in cultural relevance, students built meaningful food-based routines and communities. I argue that recognizing the cultural dimensions of food can help universities create more inclusive and affirming environments for Asian American and other racially minoritized students.

Author

• Damhee Dee Dee Hong, University of California - Santa Barbara